The Caring Heart with Dr. Joyce

From Spokane Washington

The Way of Love or The Way of the BarbarianArticles From The Caring Heart with Dr. Joyce from Spokane Washington

”Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lots his savor,
wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be
cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matt. 5:13

We United States citizens commonly do not realize the depth and breadth
of the changes Jesus made in terms of how humans view one another and
believe one another should be governed and taken care of. In human
history before Jesus, the tribe or clan was what was important, and each
individual in the group existed to further the interests of the group as a
whole. Rules of conduct and opportunities for life expression were
dictated by one sole man, or group of men at the top. For common
individuals to have “rights” was unheard of. Each individual human
life was of little or no value to those who governed.

Jesus changed all that. Through his teachings and his examples Jesus
showed that human life has intrinsic importance and dignity. Each
individual is worthy of respect, care, safety, and choice in life
opportunities and well-being. Such have been the ideals in our
Christian culture, which have brought about education for all, massive help
for the poor and less capable, fair standards in employment, and countless
other practices which echo our constitution’s statement that every man is
created equal and has inalienable rights.

But, in today’s USA, Jesus’ way of love and individual dignity may be
slipping backwards from the higher level that way had reached previously,
although much good is still being done. For example, “big pharma” is
allowed to market drugs which have dangerous side effects, in effect saying,
“The consequences to the individual (even death) are not important, the
immense monetary profit to big pharma is what is important.” Justice
and fairness seem to have slipped also, in that good citizens who are safe
drivers may have unfortunately been involved in an unavoidable accident and
thereby have their driving record forever smirched, and pay a surcharge for
years, just like the irresponsible, careless driver. Not fair, and not
just. In the interests of insurance company finances, the responsible
driver is penalized reputation-wise and financially just as is the
irresponsible. Seems like barbarian days, when the tribe was what was
important, not the individual. Barbarianism is massive in the animal
world, of course. The terrible pain of the individual laying hen or
sow are not important, and the inconvenience and monetary expense of
changing to humane ways is too troublesome for the evil, greedy industries.

Christians, I am on my soap box “big time” again!! CONSISTENT,
THOUGHTFUL ACTION ON OUR PART IS VITAL TO PROMOTE JESUS’ WAY OF LOVE FOR
EACH INDIVIDUAL HUMAN AND ANIMAL. Let’s not lose it all!!
Promote kind care at every opportunity!! Please!!

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